Sex offender to be held pending appeal

A convicted sex offender who was set to be released this week will instead remain in a secure facility.

David Bryon Baker, 50, will stay in custody until an appeals court rules on Clay County District Court Judge Steven Cahill’s decision to dismiss a petition that sought to have Baker committed indefinitely to a state hospital.

Following court proceedings held in Moorhead, Cahill said Baker did not meet the definition of a sexually dangerous person and ordered that Baker, who has served a prison sentence for offenses committed in Otter Tail County, Minn., be set free.

Clay County Attorney Brian Melton, who is working with the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office in attempting to have Baker civilly committed, said the Minnesota Court of Appeals has agreed to hear the case and has issued an order staying Cahill’s order that Baker be freed.

During treatment, Baker admitted to sexually abusing more than a dozen children, with many of the cases occurring decades ago, according to court documents.